Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-08-11
PRESIDENTS WELCOME.
He is Invited to Visit the Three
Cities and Island.
Meeting of the Joint Committee at the
Harper House Last Evening---The
Meeting this Afternoon

Pursuant to general agreement of the
tri>city committees on extending an in
vitation to President Cleveland to visit
Rock Island on his proposed western trip.
the members met at the reading room of
the Harper house last evening. There were
present Alderman J. r, Lane, A. W.
Cantwell and William Turner. of DavenN
port, Mr. Eugene Lewis. Of Moline, and
Mai. H C Connolly, Mayor V. NJ Bland
inc, and Messrs. ] . II Yore and j. W.
Stewart of this city. Mayor Blapding
was called to the chair and MIR Lane. of
Davenport, made secretary. The object
of the meeting was outlined and an in
formal discussion Of the method of pro-
ceedure, etc, followed.
Mr. Yore thought the invitation ought
to embody the eutire strength which
could he presented by the three cities;
that it should be signed by the heads of
the cities, and then by the boards OF
trade, business mems associations, and
Others of influence. Two years ago he
was in Washington and with Congress-
man Niece. called on the president. At
that time Mr. Cleveland expressed warm
desire to see this place. His sister had form
erly lived in Rock Island, and her resi-
dence has also given tie chief executive an
interest in the locality. Then Col. Baylor
could extend an invitation through the
war department on account of the Island,
thereby bringing the attention of the
president more forcibly to that inslitu>
ton.
Mayor Blanding suggested that we
were right in line from Kansas City to
Minneapolis and St Paul or Chicago
and would thus be in the president
route which ever way he wished to go
Mr.. Lewis spoke of the importance of
the government works on the island and
the attractions which these would have
in visit as matter of duty as well as
pleasure. Certainly there was nothing
west of Chicago that would compare with
it in Importance to the welfare of the
nation.
A motion was made that committee
of three be appointed to prepare the in
vitation as representatives of the three
cities, with power TO sign the names of
the present committee, and to request
the signatures of the mayors of the three
cities, and of Col Baylor, and transmit it
to the president. Maj Connolly of Rock
Island, Joe r. Lane of Davenport and
Eugene Lewis of Moline, were appointed
as such committee. 1t was moved that
this committee meet with Col. Baylor
at the Harper house at O'Clock this ais
ternoon.
These gentlemen-Msj. Connolly from
this city, Eugene Lewis from Moline, and
j. R. Lane from Davenport-met at the
Harper house this afternoon. Mayor
Mason of Moline, and Col. T. G. Baylor
commsndant of the arsenal, were also
present After an informal discussion,
an invitation, short but embracing all the
attractions of the three cities, the manu>
featuring industries. historical points of
interest and reference to the importance
of Rock Island arsenal, was prepared
and signed by the committee. and will
also be endorsed by the mayors
of the three cities, and forwarded to
Washington tonight Col. Baylor will
also write to the chief of ordnance and
the secretary of war tonight, advising
those officials of the action of the tri.
cities, believing that the invitation to the
president should come through his super>
lors in office, and the committee feel, too,
that it will be more effective in this way
Unless the president has already decided
upon the programme of mis- contemplated
trip. there is every reason to hope and
believe he will come to this locality. A
more genuine hearty welcome does not
await him anywhere.